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Council updates special-meeting form, begins overhaul of decorum rules and board bylaws
Summary
Council approved edits to the special-called meeting request form and debated a new rules-of-decorum worksheet; members asked staff to redraft decorum language, clarify electronic-device and submission timing rules, and return bylaws cleanups for boards and commissions.
Liberty Hill City Council on Tuesday voted 7-0 to approve edits to its special-called meeting request form and spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing a draft resolution and companion cheat-sheet that would define rules of decorum for council and boards.
City Secretary Elaine reviewed the revised special meeting form, which adds a purpose/rationale field, options for alternate dates, and reminders about posting timelines tied to an upcoming statutory change to three business days. Council suggested adding a quorum statement, a date-submitted field and confirmed electronic signatures and scanned submissions would be acceptable; the motion to accept the discussed edits passed unanimously.
Council also considered Resolution 2025-R-036, a working document that would simplify and codify decorum expectations, including when members should be recognized to speak, limits on sidebar discussions and a new practice about not taking personal devices into executive session. Members debated language that would restrict “sidebar” uses of devices but allow electronic research when used respectfully. One member recommended redrafting the device rule to prohibit “using electronic devices in a disruptive or disrespectful manner.”
Councilors discussed timing expectations for advance questions to staff and agreed to add a "to the maximum extent practical" qualifier so that questions for staff should be submitted at least 24 hours before a meeting when feasible. Members also asked that the rules explicitly include the mayor and to make the mayor’s presence as presiding officer an in-person requirement when chairing a meeting.
On boards and commissions, council reviewed Planning & Zoning bylaw redlines and debated whether bylaws should copy ordinance text inline or simply reference enabling ordinances. Staff and commission members favored simplifying bylaws and providing a single set of reference ordinances so commissions have a lean document focused on their unique charge; council directed staff to return a cleaned final draft.
Council did not adopt the decorum resolution at Tuesday’s meeting; instead, staff will incorporate suggested edits and return a final version for consent-level approval.
